Chapter 4

One Month Later

"Thank you for coming in," I say, extending my hand to the interviewee for a firm handshake. "You can expect the employment contract in your inbox today. Please check with Connie on your way out to make sure your contact information is correct. Welcome to SP Bail Bonds."

"I'm excited to start. I think this will be a great fit," says Jeanne Ellen Burrows.

After remodeling Vinnie's office with a blow torch, one of the first things I did was begin hiring new bounty hunters. It's ridiculous that Vinnie depended on mostly poorly equipped me and sometimes Rangeman to haul in skips, and apparently, our insurance company thought so as well. I'm developing a team of agents with a tiered training program to prevent hiring anyone, well, like me or at the very least just unleashing anyone like me upon the criminals of New Jersey. It really is a miracle I'm still alive to tell the stories of my questionable conquests.

I was surprised when Jeanne Ellen applied to be the team leader, and I put her through several interviews before deciding the extend the offer. I think Jeanne Ellen just got fed up with being the only woman in a man's world, first with the Army, then with whatever super-secret spy stuff she did with Ranger, and lastly as a contractor for Les Seabring. She wore the stone-cold bitch façade as armor, but just like I was fed up with being weak, used, and stuck in my general sense of failure, Jeanne Ellen was also looking for a change. I rolled over the contract Vinnie had with Rangeman for the highest risk skips, but I'm excited to be building an in-house team.

I get up as Lula saunters into the office. She catches my eye and huffs. "There was traffic!" she exclaims, throwing her hands in the air.

I attempt to raise my eyebrow. "Girl, eyebrow raising just ain't your thing. You need a new thing. Stink eye. I bet the stink eye runs in your blood." I laugh and reach across Connie's desk for a Boston crème from the box Lula brought in with her. I've made many changes in my life but giving up Boson crème donuts isn't one of them. The difference is that now I can justify it after my three times weekly barre class that kicks my ass.

Lula no longer works at the bail bonds office, and thankfully, she was the one to quit. Lula had a lot of dirt on Vinnie from her time as a 'ho, and he paid her under the table to keep quiet. Now that the hush money went away, Lula was ready to use those funds to start her own salon. It turns out she got her certification of cosmetology while being Vinnie's file clerk and was just waiting for the right moment to make the big leap into opening Lula's Little Luxuries Nail Salon and Spa.

"I've got an appointment for this afternoon. I need a French gel mani before my date tomorrow," Connie says, frowning at her nails.

"I know. I'll always give you the friends and family discount, too. I'll take care of you, and, just so you know, I hired a new girl to help if you need any special waxing services for that date, too," Lula said with a serious expression on her face.

I stifle my nervous laugher. Waxing my hoo hah will never be a serious subject for me. "How does Mr. Alexander like having you next door?" I ask instead, shamelessly deflecting.

"He's a big softie, just so long as we keep our understanding. Our services do not compete, and we get along great. I definitely do not want to cross someone who cuts my hair."

Connie and I both nodded sagely.

The door dinged, but I didn't have to turn around to know who was there. The tingles down my spine give it away every time.

"Hoo, it just got hotter in here," Lula said, fanning herself. "Welcome back, Batman," she called, accidentally on purpose bumping into him on her way out the door.

"Lester already picked up your files for today," Connie said, looking curiously between Ranger and me.

Without saying a word, I turned and started walking directly into my office. I haven't seen Ranger since that last time in my apartment. In the days since, I cycled through a myriad of emotions. At first, I felt the acute pain of heartbreak whenever I recalled seeing him drive away. But then my brain fixated on a new detail, namely Ranger's clenched fists and the flash of, honestly, I don't know what, in his eyes when I told him I can't do us anymore. I was angry that he didn't do or say anything besides collect his key and walk away. How could I mean so little? How could he just throw our friendship away like that?

When I began thinking those self-pitying thoughts, though, an image of my mother flashed in my mind, and it was exactly the wake up call I needed. While I still wish Ranger had done more that night, I also wish I could have a do over. I don't regret what I said, per se, but I do regret how I said it. I was hurting emotionally and physically from my confrontation with Joe, and I hadn't even yet processed or even understood what happened. Ranger and I needed to have a conversation about the uncertain status of our more than friends with benefits but less than dating situation. I just wish we had it when I was in a calmer state of mind. Part of me feels like I threw the baby out with the bathwater.

Ranger said he was available by phone while he was away. I probably picked up my cell to call or text a dozen times, but in the end, I couldn't get past the fact that he left. I don't like how I said what I said because I lost my best friend in the process, but I guess I called his bluff about someday. I refuse to go crawling back the way I always crawled back to Joe.

With a resolution to love myself more, my heart began to heal. I thought I was mostly over Ranger, but the smell of Bulgari and him is making my stomach flip. I do my best to wipe my emotions off my face before sitting down, keeping my desk between us as a barrier.

"Office looks good," Ranger says appraisingly, looking around. "How did you get rid of all of the diseases?"

I laugh, and just like that, some of the tension between us dissipates. "I had Harry take it down to studs as part of my contract," I confess.

"I," Ranger starts before looking away and running his hand through his hair. Is Ranger nervous? I didn't know Ranger could look nervous, and my breath hitches.

"Babe, will you go out with me?" he says, his eyes pleading. "I know you have every reason to want me out of your life, and if you say no, I'll leave you alone."

"Yes." My answer comes quickly and without thinking. I loved, no, still love Ranger. Saying yes might be the smartest or the dumbest thing I've ever agreed to, but I know I will always regret not knowing what this dinner could lead to. Friendship? Closure? More? For the first time, I'm in a place where I'm ready to find out.

My answer is rewarded with a thousand-watt smile that makes my heart stutter and my fingers go numb.

"Can I pick you up at six?" I nod dumbly.

"Cocktail attire," he adds, almost as an afterthought, before turning to leave.

"Wait," I say, recovering my command of words. "I moved. I'll text you the address."

"Babe." And when he's gone, I collapse in my chair. I just agreed to a date with Ranger!

"I just texted Lula. You take my appointment, Steph. You definitely need it more!" Connie calls from the front. "Damn, I think I'm having a hot flash."

A/N: Thank you for your patience. As I began posting this story, I realized that you, readers, needed more from me. I have edited the final three chapters, and am finishing an epilogue. I believe it will have been worth the wait. I appreciate all of you, and I am so grateful for your readership and reviews.